Rep: Sarawak’s RM285.4 bln petroleum contribution shows vital national role
by Churchill Edward · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Oct 25): The recent disclosure in Parliament that Sarawak contributed RM285.4 billion to Malaysia’s petroleum revenue totalling RM775.2 billion from 2018 to 2024 underscores the central role the state plays in the nation’s oil and gas sector, said Wilfred Yap.
The Kota Sentosa assemblyman said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has also revealed that comparatively, Peninsular Malaysia contributed RM284.8 billion and Sabah RM205 billion during the same period.
“These figures, together with the published investment-to-revenue ratios — Sarawak 40 per cent, Peninsular Malaysia 30 per cent, and Sabah 27 per cent — demonstrates that Sarawak is not only Malaysia’s leading petroleum-producing region but also a magnet for reinvestment and continued industrial confidence,” he said in a statement.
“This performance reflects Sarawak’s strong governance and sound policies in managing its natural resources,” he added.
Yap said in light of these facts, Petronas must give full effect to the Commercial Settlement Agreement (CSA) signed with the Sarawak government on Dec 7, 2020, by engaging constructively with Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in areas envisaged under that settlement.
He explained that the CSA established a formal consultative framework for coordination and envisaged greater participation by Petros, particularly in oil and gas activities and investment opportunities, while creating joint mechanisms for strategic cooperation between Petronas and the Sarawak government.
“It is the Sarawak government’s position that resource governance in the state should reflect the intent of the CSA, as well as Sarawak’s asserted rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (OMO),” Yap said.
“To preserve public trust, ensure transparency in revenue reporting, and enable Sarawak to reinvest fairly in socio-economic development, Petronas should continue to engage Petros meaningfully in the planning and implementation of operations in Sarawak where the CSA contemplates such collaboration,” he added.
He noted that the Sarawak government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has signalled strong ambitions to diversify Sarawak’s energy economy — including hydrogen, renewables, and downstream petrochemical development — under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“A sincere and cooperative relationship between Petronas and Petros will help realise these goals and strengthen Malaysia’s overall energy ecosystem,” he said.
“As the assemblyman for N12 Kota Sentosa, I urge Petronas to honour the spirit and mechanisms of the CSA by engaging Petros transparently and constructively,” Yap stressed.
“The relationship between the federal and Sarawak governments should never be viewed as a zero-sum game, but as a win-win partnership — one that safeguards Sarawak’s constitutional rights while supporting Malaysia’s overall energy security and economic growth.
“When both levels of government work together in good faith, Sarawak can continue to contribute strongly to the nation’s prosperity while achieving fair and sustainable development for its own people,” he added.